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Celebration of Africa Day in Waterford

At the last census held in Ireland in March 2016, it was reported that the population of the Republic of Ireland is in the region of 4.641m and that 64,639 of this population size are of African descent classified as “black Irish” (57,850) and “other blacks” (6,789). This represents about 1.4% of the population. (Source: Central Statistics Office)

The relationship between Ireland and Africa extends beyond the long-line of missionaries that have made inroads into Africa. In the economic sector, Irish private investments on the continent are significant. Diageo Africa - the African branch of Diageo Ireland - brewers of Guinness and the world’s largest producers of beer, spirits and wines, operates in as many as twenty African countries. While Nigeria is Guinness’s third largest market in the world, three other African countries – Ghana, Cameroun and Kenya – are among the world’s top ten. Africans consume about one-third of Guinness’s total world’s production. That is three times greater than the total North American consumption.

People such as Barack Obama, Muhammad Ali, Eddie Murphy, Billie Holiday and Beyonce all have traces of Irish DNA or Irish ancestors. Perhaps this reality was not lost on the Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Joe McHugh TD, when he declared a national flagship event to celebrate Africa Day 2017 (supported by Irish Aid), continuing a practice that has now being going on for several years in Ireland.

The African community in Waterford is celebrating ‘Africa Day’ on THURSDAY, 25TH OF MAY 2017 - the officially designated ‘Africa Day’. The celebrations will take place at ST. PATRICK’S GATEWAY CENTRE, Patrick Street, Ballybricken at 5pm.

African culture, dance, attires and food will be showcased to highlight the diverse African countries and ethnicities living in the city and county of Waterford.

The Mayors of the City and County, the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, and the Dean of Christ Church Cathedral have been invited to grace the occasion. The Charge de Affairs of Lesotho to Ireland has agreed to speak at the event. Several other important personalities are expected to attend.